DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – 2023 National Peanut Festival Parade Grand Marshal and Dothan businessman Art Solomon died late Sunday following an illness. He was 73.

Among Alabama’s most proficient professional photographers, Solomon started a Dothan business, Art Solomon Photography, that endured for decades.

However, his service went far beyond photos to his tireless community service.

As the president of the National Peanut Festival in 1985, his influence was profound. During his tenure on the board of directors, he and others signed Garth Brooks, who would become arguably the greatest country music superstar ever, to perform at the 1990 festival.

In 2023, the festival named Solomon its parade grand marshal, and the crowd cheered as he led the festivities down Main Street last November.

“I am deeply humbled and filled with pride that they chose me for this role,” he shared with News4.

Holman Headland Mortuary said funeral services from First Methodist Church of Dothan would be on Monday, April 15, at 2 p.m.

The mortuary will release an obituary on Tuesday.

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A breathtaking cosmic event was captured from space on a recent Monday when Meteorologist Eric Burris unveiled stunning footage from the GOES-16 satellite, showcasing a total solar eclipse’s progress. The satellite imagery revealed the moon’s shadow as it traversed the North American continent.

This extraordinary phenomenon occurs when the moon passes directly between the earth and the sun, momentarily turning day into night across the impacted regions. As the celestial bodies align, the lunar shadow creates a path of totality, where observers within that narrow strip experience a complete solar eclipse.

The footage offered by Burris provides a unique vantage point, often unseen by terrestrial observers, highlighting the grand scale of this astronomical event. It also prompts curiosity regarding future occurrences. Floridians, in particular, may find themselves eagerly anticipating the next solar eclipse that will cast a shadow of totality across their sunny state, providing an opportunity for residents to witness day turn to twilight under the moon’s dramatic cover.

Summary: Eric Burris, a meteorologist, released footage from the GOES-16 satellite showing the recent total solar eclipse path over the United States, captivating viewers with a rare perspective of the moon’s shadow. The video energizes enthusiasts and the general public to anticipate future eclipses, including the next one to envelop Florida in darkness during the day.

The spectacle of a total solar eclipse has fascinated humanity for centuries, and with the advent of advanced satellite technology like the GOES-16, we are now able to appreciate these events from a whole new perspective. The footage captured by Meteorologist Eric Burris serves as a stunning reminder of the cosmic dance between celestial bodies. The satellite images demonstrate not only the beauty of the eclipse but also the advanced capabilities of modern meteorological satellites.

Total solar eclipses are not just awe-inspiring visual experiences. They also provide unique opportunities for scientific research, especially in the fields of solar physics and space weather. During these eclipses, scientists can study the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere, which is usually invisible to the naked eye due to the overwhelming brightness of the sun itself.

The industry surrounding solar eclipses includes tourism, as locations in the path of totality often see a significant influx of visitors hoping to witness the event firsthand. According to market forecasts, these events can bring substantial economic benefits to these areas. However, accommodating large crowds and ensuring public safety during such events can present challenges.

The market for eclipse-viewing gear, such as protective glasses and specialized equipment, often sees a spike in demand as an eclipse approaches. Exporters and retailers prepare for such occasions well in advance to meet the enthusiastic public’s needs. Market forecasts suggest that regions with frequent eclipse occurrences may see a boost in various sectors, including travel, hospitality, and retail.

There are issues related to these astronomical events that must also be considered. For example, ensuring the public has access to accurate information and safe viewing methods is critical to prevent eye damage from looking at the sun without proper protection. Moreover, there is an environmental impact from increased travel and waste generation during such gatherings, requiring strategies for sustainable tourism and waste management.

Future eclipses are undoubtedly marked on many calendars, with the NASA website being a popular source for accurate dates and viewing locations. The next total solar eclipse expected to cast its shadow across parts of Florida and other areas of the United States is already generating interest among astronomy enthusiasts and the general public alike. Such extraordinary events remind us of our place in the cosmos and inspire a sense of unity as people from all walks of life come together to witness the beauty of our universe.

Roman Perkowski is a distinguished name in the field of space exploration technology, specifically known for his work on propulsion systems for interplanetary travel. His innovative research and designs have been crucial in advancing the efficiency and reliability of spacecraft engines. Perkowski’s contributions are particularly significant in the development of sustainable and powerful propulsion methods, which are vital for long-duration space missions. His work not only pushes the boundaries of current space travel capabilities but also inspires future generations of scientists and engineers in the quest to explore the far reaches of our solar system and beyond.

New York City’s iconic skyline has always inspired photographer Dan Martland. He loves it when stormy skies take over, as they often make for unique images. Martland was certainly lucky last week, when he got a rare shot of a lightning bolt striking Lady Liberty during a storm in the city.

While this isn’t the first time that Martland has captured lightning striking the Statue of Liberty, he was still surprised when he came away with the shot. “I wasn’t really expecting to get anything yesterday,” he tells My Modern Met. “I usually go for city shots, but the clouds were so low you couldn’t even see the buildings, so I decided to head to Liberty State Park and aim my cameras at the Statue of Liberty. A massive gamble focusing on something so small and precise. So, to get what I got was so lucky.”

Thanks to a dual camera setup, Martland actually caught a wide shot and a tight shot as the lightning bolt touched down on the statue’s torch. Incredibly, the shot is all down to timing, with Martland using a “lightning trigger” to ensure that he set off the shutter at the right time. As with all storm photography, this combination of precision, patience, and timing can make for some incredible shots.

“I usually track the weather with apps and head out if it’s looking good,” Martland explained while responding to comments on Instagram. “I’ve had a time where I’ve been out for eight hours and got nothing. Today was only an hour. The storm passed pretty quick. And the apps showed that there were no more cells coming my way.”

To purchase a print of this image, or any of Martland’s work, head over to his online shop.

Photographer Dan Martland was lucky enough to capture a photo of lightning striking the Statue of Liberty.

While some wondered if it was AI, the work is just the fruit of good photography skills, research, and patience.

Dan Martland: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Dan Martland.

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When I was a young photo student studying in college, my professor gave us a scavenger hunt for photography of sorts. One of the categories was “shoot from the hip.” I thought it was strange, but in hindsight, it was prescient advice.

Today, it sounds a bit silly to “shoot from the hip.” After all, most cameras have large, articulating screens. Such a concept is not only easy, but more accurate and precise than it ever was before. You can see exactly what you’re shooting, and it’s essentially no different than shooting through the viewfinder.

But it’s the spirit of that command – shoot from the hip – that resonates with me to this day. Cameras of that era didn’t have flipping screens, or at least most of them didn’t. Live view wasn’t even a thing in most cases for DSLRs. Autofocus only really worked well through a TTL viewfinder. It was that act of faith, of letting go and letting the composition gods decide what gets in the frame and what’s in focus, that made the image. What did I produce with my lowly Rebel XTi? About what you’d expect from a first semester photo student:

Uninspiring, to say the least.

But how can you take this sort of “assignment” and make it inspiring? England-based photographer Jeff Ascough of Walk Like Alice on YouTube has plenty of answers to take this particular style of photography to the next level.

He talks about how he often uses this method in street photography primarily because it affords him an element of stealth. People don’t often know he’s taken the shot, and for a shy photographer, that may be exactly the desire.

Beyond this, the style offers the potential for more interesting compositions. Everyone sees the world at eye level. Shooting from the hip avoids this photographic trope.

He also talks about why people may sometimes frown upon this particular type of shooting street photography.

There’s a lot more ground that Ascough covers in his video, in particular, some tips on picking the right lens (and sticking with it) for street photography, as well as how to set up your aperture, shutter speed, and focusing system to more consistently get things in focus than if you’re just spraying and praying as I was with the camera’s ancient autofocus system.

Check out the video above to see Ascough’s additional advice on shooting from the hip.